Better mental health efforts key

The USA today editorial "Senate fails..." in April 19 edition, demands some reply.

It would be nice to read one of these rants that includes the truth based on actual facts. In an editorial on March 14, a local health specialist spoke much truth. We need identification and treatment of those who need it. As an adjunct to her comments, Obamacare should be the perfect vehicle to achieve this.

None of the proposed gun laws would have stopped the insane killer in Newtown. That brings us to what our local mental health director spoke but needed to emphasize.

These mentally aberrant individuals are frequently not treated because they aren't being identified. Why wasn't the criminal in Newtown identified and significantly treated? Did the fears of this mother and community result in this terrible loss of lives? Let us not be paralyzed by fear of stigma and prejudice.

Dedicated mental health servants wish to protect those whom they so admirably serve. However, identification and treatment are essential. Action must begin at the earliest signs of unacceptable behavior. For all the success mental health workers achieve, they can not succeed if appropriate identification and treatment isn't required. Teachers are required by law to report abuse. Why shouldn't they be required to report inappropriate behavior indicating mandated treatment?

Frank De Voe

Heath

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Better mental health efforts key

The USA today editorial 'Senate fails...' in April 19 edition, demands some reply.